My goodness! Where has the time gone? It has been too long since I last shared anything with my virtual friends. I’ve been a very busy girl as we move into 2012. Teaching, speaking, working, remembering and being interviewed today.

I am coming to the end of a series of workshops this weekend. It has been wonderful to introduce newbies to Zentangle and we’ll explore color and drawing on canvas this weekend. My husband and I celebrated after my most recent class with dinner out and have plans to do the same this weekend.

I served as “wingwoman” for my 10-year old grandson on Valentine’s Day. He wanted to make some good memories for his mom by surprising her for dinner that night. I picked him up from school and we got busy. We bought roses (yellow was his choice), a musical card, a stuffed monkey and candy. Card selection was an experience as I steered him away from “You Sexy Thing” and assorted other inappropriate choices aided by two men in their work clothes looking for the right card for their ladies. He got all spiffed up, put the cash to pay for dinner in his pocket and was his mom’s surprise blind date. She told me later he was the best date she ever had – with amazing manners. Plus, he tactfully scolded the man on his phone at the next table: “You really should put your phone away, This is supposed to be all about her tonight.” The man laughed, agreed with him and turned off his phone. Ah, the boy remembered his coaching and those etiquette lessons from good old Kacki.

Mother and son on their Valentine's Day date.

In late February, I was approached by the hospital where my family was treated after their accident to speak for their Sudden Impact program. “High school sophomores get a chance to hear from troopers, trauma nurses and victims impacted by unsafe driving. The goal is to prevent kids from driving distracted, impaired or driving without a seat belt” My story resonated because they all lived because of their seat belts and also illustrates that you can do everything right but still be affected by another’s poor choice. I have spoken twice with several more dates leading up to prom season. This was so much more difficult than I anticipated, but worth it if even one kid makes the right choice when faced with a decision. This has led to my interview today for the hospital’s Wee Believe Magazine. One more piece of the silver lining from that black cloud in September 2010. You can read more about that story here.